Yarn and Chocolate

My apt building on a gorgeous Sunday morning.


There's been lots of spinning.



New fiber. Kid mohair/merino in color Blueberry Patch from Susan's Spinning Bunny

A little knitting. The sock is already pretty long, but I'm gonna keep knitting until I run out of yarn.




My stash from the NY Chocolate Show. Mostly gifts so I'm not tempted to eat every piece in the apt, tho I did save a little bit for myself. I never thought I'd see the day where I'd turn down chocolate because I couldnt eat another piece. Yummmm.

Mittens!!

OK, its November and I'm going to try and post more regularly, at least for the duration of SP11 but hopefully even afterwards because its fun to have a journal of my knitting projects.

I finished mittens this morning. They're the first project I've knitted up with my very own handspun. Normally I'm not a huge fan of mittens, but I lost all my gloves last winter and its been pretty cold. Plus the yarn matches my coat. The mittens look a little odd. They're a little square on top, probably because I designed them without checking other mitten patterns first. They're also a little long. I originally planned to make wrist warmers, but changed my mind in the middle and didnt want to rip them out. Oh well. They're still fun.

Another Post

I've been really really bad about updating my blog. Apologies all around. I'm feeling overwhelmed and stressed out at work. To make things more frustrating my internet connection is fritzy and keeps disconnecting. But enough of my complaining. I could go on all night. I spent the day at a client in a windowless conference trying to crunch out numbers. Now I'm off to take a well needed walk. I will try to do better in November, really I promise.

Fiber into Yarn

It so exciting to see fiber transformed into yarn. I've been spinning more than knitting lately. Theres something about the rhythm of drafting the fiber and letting the spin travel up thats so hypnotic and soothing. Even after 5 or 10 minutes I feel calmer, which I really need. I finished the brown BRL that was on the bobbin. There's another 250 yds. Maybe there'll be enough for a shawl, although I dont seem to have a lot of patience for shawls. But thats another story. I'm not sure the WPI of the fiber, but its probably no more than a worsted weight.

The fiber from Blarneyarn was a little bit more coarse that the brown, maybe because the brown isnt dyed. Once I stopped trying to make perfectly even yarn the spinning went much more quickly. I really had fun spinning it. Go figure.

I'm also making progress on the Thuja sock. Just started turning the heel. Progress feels very slow but its nice to be making socks again.

Knitting Updates

I finished the blue cardigan. Its Reynolds chunky alpaca, my own design. I love it when something I designed actually fits!! But I'm very disappointed because its a warm sweater and we're having unusually warm weather for October. I'm not much of a fan of cooler weather but I really want to wear the sweater. Its supposed to cool off a little next week maybe then I can show it off!!

There's the wonderful yarn from my secret pal. The sock itch is finally being satisfied without having to use those tiny sock needles that bother my hands. The yarn is Artful Yarn Handpaint Stripes and I started making toe up Thuja socks. Its very soft and striping up nicely.

I bought some BFL roving from Blarneyyarn. I love the colors but its the first time I'll be spinning variegated yarn and I'm a little concerned about how the colors will be broken up. Maybe its time to start dying my own fiber.....I havent started spinning it yet because I want to finish the fiber on the wheel. I'm hoping to have around 500 yards when I finish but have no idea what to do with it yet. Its very exciting to finally spin fiber that looks like yarn.

Blue Cardigan

Here's the latest progress on the blue cardigan. Once I decide where to place the buttons I hope to start the other button band, maybe next weekend. I cant decide about the collar. I'm hoping for some stroke of inspiration.

sp11 questionaire #2

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
really sturdy project bags
2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?
my last vacation i took lace socks and a lace shawl. i only worked on the lace shawl.
3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
i loved paris. i'm thinking about going back for christmas 2008.
4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
my 2 favorite knitting books are knitting without tears by elizabeth zimmerman and vogue knitting, both of which i own.
5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
lately i've been listening to knitpicks podcast, lets knit2gether, travel with rick steves, autism podcast and bon appetit
6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be?
blue
7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do?
depends on what the mistake was and how noticeable it was. if it affected how the project fit then probably. if it was in the pattern probably not. i'm trying to be less of a perfectionist and go with the flow more.
8. Where is the most unsual spot you've ever knit?
in the recovery room after minor surgery, dressed in hospital gown and all. i dont think i knit very much but it was very soothing after.